CVE-2006-5053 in Web-News
Summary
by MITRE
PHP remote file inclusion vulnerability in webnews/template.php in Web-News 1.6.3 and earlier allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary PHP code via a URL in the content_page parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/23/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-5053 represents a critical remote file inclusion flaw affecting Web-News version 1.6.3 and earlier systems. This issue resides within the webnews/template.php component where improper input validation allows attackers to inject malicious URLs through the content_page parameter. The flaw stems from the application's failure to properly sanitize user-supplied input before incorporating it into file inclusion operations, creating an avenue for arbitrary code execution. This vulnerability type falls under the broader category of CWE-98 Improper Control of Generation of Code, which specifically addresses weaknesses in how applications handle dynamic code generation and file inclusion processes.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker manipulates the content_page parameter to point to a remote malicious file hosted on an external server. When the web application processes this parameter, it directly includes the remote file without proper validation, allowing the attacker's malicious PHP code to execute within the context of the web server. This creates a persistent backdoor opportunity where attackers can establish remote command execution capabilities and potentially gain full control over the affected system. The vulnerability demonstrates a classic lack of input sanitization and output encoding practices that are fundamental to secure coding standards.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents severe security implications for organizations using affected Web-News installations. Attackers can leverage this flaw to execute arbitrary commands, access sensitive data, modify system configurations, or establish persistent access points within the network infrastructure. The remote nature of the attack means that exploitation can occur from anywhere on the internet without requiring physical access to the target system. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1190 - Exploit Public-Facing Application, which describes how adversaries can target publicly accessible applications to gain initial access. The impact extends beyond immediate code execution to include potential data breaches, system compromise, and lateral movement within the network environment.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2006-5053 should prioritize immediate patching of the affected Web-News version to the latest available release that addresses the remote file inclusion vulnerability. Organizations must implement proper input validation and sanitization mechanisms to prevent malicious URLs from being processed through the content_page parameter. Additionally, network segmentation and firewall rules should restrict access to vulnerable applications, while implementing web application firewalls to detect and block suspicious file inclusion attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of following secure coding practices such as those outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and ISO/IEC 27001 security standards, which emphasize the need for proper input validation and output encoding to prevent injection attacks. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar weaknesses in other applications and prevent future exploitation attempts.